Child abuse and neglect: the rights of parents and the needs of their children.

The trends in treatment and in legal decisions with respect to custody of abused and neglected children are reviewed. Parental rights, including a familial right to treatment, are discussed in terms of the needs of children for their parents and for a safe home environment. It is argued that the critical point for the assertion of parents' rights is not the ultimate custody hearing but the initial decision to remove the child from its home.